Fruit-grading machine



June 5, 1928.

' E. M. WAYLAND FRUIT GRADING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8," 1927 Inventar A @wwf/@fam lPatented June 5, 1928.

UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN M. WAYLAND, OF COVESVILLE, VIRGINIA FRUIT-GRADING MACHINE.

Application filed 'February This invention relates to new and useful improvements in fruit grading machines of the kicker Wheel character, and aims to provide ka sizing .belt deck having recesses 'formed therein beneath the various kicker wheels so that the sizing belt passing thereover will act as a cushion for the fruit that is engaged by the various kicker Wheels to prevent the bruising, crushing, or otherwise mari-ing ot the same.

In the drawings Figure l is a fragmentary section, mainly through the decking of a kicker 'Wheel typey ot grader constructed in accordance with the present invention; andv f Figure f2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the sizing belt deck constructed in accordance With the presentinvention. i Now having particular reference to the drawing, 5 designates one of the usual vertical posts of a kickerwheel type of fruit grading machines, While 6 designates the transversely inclined sizing beltdeck *overl which travels the sizing belt 7. At the outer edge of this sizing belt decking 6 is the usual oppositely inclined distributing belt at the points directly above the recesses Will act as cushions tor the truit when the sameare engaged by the various predetermined positions of the kicker Wheels lOv-IO.

The decking 6 is inclined transversely, and the recesses ll are extended throughoutthe ,j Width of the said decking 6. The decking 6 being inclined as stated, and the sizing belt 7 being correspondingly inclined, it follows that when a piece of fruit is on the belt- 7, and in vertical alineinent with one of the recesses 11 and the kicker wheel l0 complenientary to said recess 1l, the portion of the belt above the recessll is entirely unsupported throughout the Width of the belt and throughout t-he length of therecess 11. Itv

will also be noted that the portion ot' the belt 8, 1927.V Serial No. 166,741.

above the recess l11 is entirelynnsupported throughout the width `of the recess 11 and also throughout the Width of the deck 6.r

In other Words, by virtue of the recess 11 relatively arranged as stated, a gap is afforded below and transverse of the belt and said gap is carried clear to the edge and beyond the belt,`and the gap is so small thaty vthe belthas no opportunity to sag in passingover it, and only analmost imperceptible but sufficientgive or springiness is peculiar yto they belt over the recess or gap 11 Which Will positively preventr fruit from being pinched at all and at the same time obviates the necessity kof providing any give in the kicker Wheel shaft 9.

Even though I have herein shown and described the sizing` belt decking 6 as being formed with recesses in its top surface it is ot course obvious that t-he decking may be provided with openings or the like so that vthe sizing belt will not be backed by the Wheel; f y i Having thus described the invention, what I claim is v1. In a sizing belt decking for fruit grading machines including a plurality of kicker elements arranged above a sizing belt, which n belt travels over said decking, said decking being formed with recesses directly beneath the belt and extending throughout the Width ot the decking and in coincidence With the kicker elements so that thebelt will be able to give throughoutits Width opposite the `kicker elements.l

' 2. In a sizing belt decking' for fruit` grading machines including a plurality of kicker elements arranged above a sizingl belt Which belt travels over said decking, said decking with vgaps at points beneath the kicker elements so that the belt Will be' unsupported throughout its Widthatthese points for effecting a cushion for the ifruit.

3. In combination', a sizing belt decking, a sizing belt larranged to travel over said decking at pointsdirectly beneath the kicker decking, and a kicking element above the .sizing belt; the said decking having directly beneath the beltand in coincidence-with the kicker element a gap 'extending throughout lthe Width of the decking so that the belt Will'be able to give throughout its Width I opposite the kickerelement. l

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

' EDWIN M. WAYLAND. 

